AMISH MAN TAKES PLEA DEAL IN RAPE

Norman Byler, 67, was accused of assaulting girls aged 3, 5, and 8 after neighbors stated they saw one of the girls bleeding.  Byler was charged on December 27, 2000.  Byler's daughter, Katie Yoder and son-in-law, Tobie were already aware of the situation and had sought mental health treatment for him.  Yoder stated that Byler was responding to the medication.  Yoder does not want Byler in jail, stating that ...it won't do him any good.

Byler pleaded guilty on Monday to sexual battery in a plea bargain that would require him to receive 5 years of treatment at a center for sex offenders.  He was initially charged with 11 counts of rape and gross sexual imposition involving two girls in his extended family.  He pleaded guilty to lesser charges, five counts of sexual battery.

(Cambridge, Ohio)